Ranger build help

[Domacett]

Hello. This is my first attempt at building a character and I would like some feedback from our veteran community.

I'm trying to make an archer with a pet dog. Someone versatile and effective and focused on ranged attacks with a pet assist.

I put this together with an idea of what I thought would be cool to have for a first-life heroic toon. I have no experience or skill in character building so any help would be appreciated.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
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Level 28 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger \ 1 Druid \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 420
Spell Points: 605 
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 20
Will: 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 28)           (Level 28)
Strength             15                 24                   25
Dexterity            16                 20                   24
Constitution         15                 18                   18
Intelligence          8                 11                   11
Wisdom               14                 17                   17
Charisma              8                 11                   11

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 28)          (Level 28)
Balance               7                 14                   22
Bluff                -1                  0                    8
Concentration         2                 14                   22
Diplomacy            -1                  0                   11
Disable Device        3                 21                   29
Haggle               -1                  0                    8
Heal                  2                 13                   21
Hide                  3                  7                   15
Intimidate           -1                  0                    8
Jump                  6                 10                   18
Listen                2                  3                   12
Move Silently         3                  7                   15
Open Lock             7                 13                   21
Perform              n/a                n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                  0                    8
Search                3                 22                   31
Spellcraft           -1                  6                   14
Spot                  6                 24                   33
Swim                  7                 11                   19
Tumble                4                  8                   16
Use Magic Device      3                 10                   18

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Arbalester (Rank 1)


Level 2 (Druid)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 3)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 2)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Versatile Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Empathic Healing (Rank 1)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Morphic Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Corrosive Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 1)


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sneak Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Empathic Healing (Rank 2)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Human - Sniper (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Flaming Arrows (Rank 1)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Metalline Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sniper Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Terror Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Frost Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 1)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Soul Magic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Resistance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Versatile Empathy (Rank 2)


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Terror Arrows (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Shock Arrows (Rank 1)


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Paralyzing  Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Paralyzing  Arrows (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Shot on the Run
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Terror Arrows (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Paralyzing  Arrows (Rank 3)


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Aligned Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arrow of Slaying (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Improved Elemental Arrows (Rank 1)


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sneak Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Resistance (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Protection (Rank 1)


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Resistance (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Protection (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Protection (Rank 3)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Shadow Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Runebow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Mark of the Hunted (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Combat Archery


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Holy Strike


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Doubleshot

[unbongwah]

Dog stats are based on # of druid lvls; so your dog will remain lvl 1 its entire life. [Well, it might go up to lvl 6 in Primal EDs, since the caster lvl bonuses will apply to rgr & druid.] Are you just bringing it along to pull lvrs? B/c it's not gonna be much use otherwise.

Anyway, generic advice: you don't need to take Rapid Shot as it's granted free @ rgr lvl 2; you should dump WIS for more CON & INT so you can max out UMD; I would skip Toughness and the D/M/SotR chain for more melee feats; IC:Ranged should be taken at lvl 9; I think you bugged out your build, b/c it shows you with Combat Archery @ lvl 21 (which req's base DEX 21), but only shows base DEX 20 in your build (16 base + 1 lvl up + 3 tome).

[Teh_Troll]

The druid level for the dog is useless. A cosmetic pet is better.

[Grailhawk]

You want to use Druid as the base for this concept. I don't think it will work though never seen a true pet build and there's enough love for them that if they could work some one would have done it already.

None the less go elf to get access to the AA tree and take at least 17 Druid levels 2 monk 1 fighter will probably get you the feat you need to make a go at a bow druid.

[unbongwah]

None the less go elf to get access to the AA tree and take at least 17 Druid levels 2 monk 1 fighter will probably get you the feat you need to make a go at a bow druid.

You could in theory do a pure elven druid to max out wolf stats; add AA w/Elven Grace for DEX to dmg to save on feats. Is it a good idea? No, probably not, but it is an option.

[schelsullivan]

The druid level for the dog is useless. A cosmetic pet is better.

Cosmetic pets are useless, cant pull a lever.

[OverlordOfRats]

I'm trying to make an archer with a pet dog. Someone versatile and effective and focused on ranged attacks with a pet assist.


[/code]

Have you looked at the Artificer class. It does just that.

It does traps, has pet, does ranged combat with repeating crossbows and rune arms, and has some nice spells.
You can stay pure class or splash 2 rogue for evasion and more skill points or 2 monk for evasion and 2 feats. This will keep the pet level 18 or 20 rather than a level 1.
Invest attribute points into INT first, DEX(21 min Base+Level Ups+Tomes only before level 21 for Combat Archery) second and CON third.

[Teh_Troll]

Cosmetic pets are useless, cant pull a lever.

That's what pugs are for.

[Domacett]

Thanks for the feedback. I get from this that what I'm after is an elf Druid. I have looked into artificer and I don't want machines, but I agree that otherwise it's everything I'm looking for.

I'll try again from a different angle. Thanks for your help.

[the_one_dwarfforged]

going off the example build in your post, you might consider 14-15 ranger 3 druid 2-3 rogue. that gives you access to fom (14 rgr) and another favored enemy (15 rgr), all of your bow feats and twf feats for free, up to +6 seeker and 25% attack speed from 3 druid (and the wolf, though it will never really be that useful as anything except a lever puller to be honest) and more skills and sneak attack dice and the ability to trap from the rogue levels.

[avepepix]

You can Try 11 ranger and 9 artificer, but if you have purcharse the underdark pack, you allready had a summon black panter =)

[schelsullivan]

You can Try 11 ranger and 9 artificer, but if you have purcharse the underdark pack, you allready had a summon black panter =)

You would have had to pre-order the collectors edition of Menace of the Underdark to get the Onyx Panther. Standard Underdark purchases did not include this hire.